REVISION OF THE Хоктн AMERICAN HYDNACEAE 175 
Albany resembles very much the forms here referred to P. niger, 
but is distinctly marked by a peculiar ring of spongy tomentum 
about the stem a little below the cap. This feature, however, is so 
unusual that I am inclined to regard it as a freak until other plants 
are found showing it to be a true specific character. 
8. LEAIA gen. nov. 
Plants pileate or resupinate, epixylous, dark to light umber or 
grayish, subiculum of branched processes clothed above with a 
dense shaggy coat of coarse tomentum; teeth slender, terete, acute ; 
spores minutely papillose, elliptical, guttulate, hyaline or white. 
This genus is unique among the Hydnaceae. It is difficult 
to say where it is most nearly related, for it does not appear to 
have any very near relation to any other genus of the family. It 
has some characters of Hydnellum and in some respects suggests 
connection with Auriscalpium. The spore characters especially 
suggest the latter relationship. The branched processes, which are 
its most fundamental peculiarity, are suggestive at first thought of 
Hericium but the dark color, tough fibrous substance, and papillose 
spores at once separate it from that genus. Тһе character of the 
branched processes also is entirely different and though difficult to 
describe, are readily recognized when once seen. This branching 
of the plant body also readily separates the genus from either 
Hydnellum or Auriscalpium. 
It seems most appropriate that this well-marked genus should 
be dedicated to the memory of that pioneer mycologist of the 
Ohio Valley, Mr. Т. С. Lea, who first detected one of its species. 
Synopsis of the Species 
Plant pileate, dimidiate ; ends of branches flattened. 
Plant wholly resupinate ; ends of branches subterete. 
1. Г. piperaia. 
2. L. stratosa. 
1. Leaia piperata sp. nov. ; 
Plant sessile, subdimidiate to flabelliform, caespitose, € 
cate, laterally confluent to 8 or 10 cm. wide; the pilei ascending 
repeatedly branching but not anastomosing processes, tough, 
y g 
